Quilts tell historical story

The society’s newest exhibit is of quilts, “Then & Now,” which showcases quilts and different quilting techniques from different generations.

“They are the things that tell the history of Belmont,” Historical Society volunteer Eloise Buthe said.

Some are made from a long-arm machine and some are made from hand. Some are more than 100 years old.

“The quilt display kind of evolved over the years,” Historical Society volunteer Gearl Dean Page said. “We had a few so we thought we’d start with that; then, more and more kept coming in.”

One quilt has a personal connection to Historical Society President Elizabeth Atterberry. The quilt was found in the attic, but was not fully put together.

Atterberry’s mother ended up finishing the quilt and it is now on display at the exhibit. When it was found, it was pieced together with old newspaper, which was common practice in quilting. The newspaper was the Winston-Salem Journal from 1957.

When it was finished a few fun facts from the paper were quilted into a patch on the inside of the quilt. In the newspaper from 1957, it read that Grace Kelly was nursing her new baby in Monaco, bacon was 68 cent a pound and there was a column of community news from a local African-American community.

The society has amassed a house full of quilts, but no two are alike.

“You can see how the patterns have changed as the years go by,” Page said.

The quilt display is available for viewing free of charge from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday through Saturday.

It will also be open when the society celebrates “Old Timey Day”. The Artifacts and Displays Committee is hosting the event that will feature the quilts display, a fiber arts demonstration, blacksmithing, fabric drying and printing and fun and games for children. There will also be storytellers, an old-fashioned cake walk, antique cars and food for sale.

Proceeds from the cake walk, sales and car rides will go to the Historical Society.

You can reach reporter Lauren Baheri at 704-869-1842 or twitter.com/Lbaheri

Want to go?

What? Old Timey Day

Where? The Historical Society, 40 Catawba St., Belmont

When? 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tickets: Free

More information, call the Belmont Historical Society at 704-825-4848.